The December 2024 edition of Asia-Pacific Channels, the biannual magazine of World Dance Alliance Asia-Pacific, is here.
As usual, this edition features reports from our executive committee, our networks and our organisational chapters. Here are some highlights:
Reports from the new Executive Committee of WDAAP, as voted in at the Annual General Meeting in September 2024, hosted by World Dance Alliance Singapore.
Reports and beautiful images from the Singapore International Dance Conference Festival organised by WDA Singapore in conjunction with the WDAAP AGM last year.
In memoriam for Fred Frumberg, stalwart WDAAP member and founder of Amrita Performing Arts, Cambodia, who passed away in December 2024.
Announcement of call for proposals for SWEAT: Hong Kong International Dance Workshop Festival 2025 from 18 to 22 June 2025, which will include the WDAAP Annual General Meeting.
… as well as inspiring images of dance from across the region.
Cover image, and above: Wushiren Theatre (Singapore) performing “I Am Finally in Love with The World”, choreographed by Ranice Tay, at the 2024 Singapore International Dance Conference and Festival, at LASALLE College of the Arts. Photo: Gnanesh Bhaskar Tilagavathy
Back issues of Channels can be downloaded from here. The archive of Channels dating back to 1996 is available from the Ausdance website. For larger printable versions of this magazine, please contact the editor, Bilqis Hijjas, at bhijjas@gmail.com.
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts is excited to announce the launch of the website of SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Workshop Festival 2025.
The Call for Proposals for SWEAT and other details of the festival are now available to read on the website:
The 2025 Annual General Meeting of World Dance Alliance Asia-Pacific will be held in conjunction with SWEAT 2025.
SWEATbuilds on the success of its inaugural edition in 2022. Launched by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first festival provided a vital digital platform for artists to connect, share best practices, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Over two weeks, SWEATbrought together 640 arts practitioners from 23 countries through research labs, workshops, masterclasses, dance video screenings, and open discussions, establishing itself as a hub for innovation and artistic exchange.
In 2025, SWEAT will focus on the theme ‘Cultural Sequences: Asia Pacific Choreographic Discovery’ to celebrate vibrant dance expressions that transcend geographic boundaries. The festival will feature four key events:
Workshop Series
Dance Conference
DanceTECH Research Showcase
Choreographic Projects Open Studio Presentations
These events will enable participants to tailor their experiences and enhance their practices and research ideas. In our increasingly interconnected world, understanding cultural expressions through dance is essential for celebrating diversity and fostering meaningful collaborations.
Join us at the HKAPA campus in Hong Kong as we continue to innovate, inspire, and connect within the global dance community!
I want to bring to your immediate attention a concerning issue. If you receive an email supposedly from Anna CY Chan, WDA President, from the emails: boardspresidentbox@gmail.com or executivestream2025@gmail.com or similar, requesting a transfer of funds to a vendor named WDAAP on behalf of the WDAAP Board, please be extremely cautious. This communication is a scam.
To clarify, the WDAAP Executive Board has never engaged any external vendor to execute our projects. As a recognized non-profit society, we pride ourselves on our strong governance and transparent financial practices. Additionally, each WDAAP Chapter manages its own finances independently.
We take our reputation seriously and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in all our projects. If you have any doubts about a request for funds or related communications, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to our official channels for verification at worlddanceallianceasiapacific@gmail.com or directly to me annacychan@hkapa.edu.
Thank you for your vigilance in safeguarding our community.
Anna CY Chan WDAAP President & on behalf of the WDAAP Executive Board.
Join five young choreographers who participated in this year’s International Young Choreographer Project in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, as they reflect on their experience and its vital necessity in today’s world.
Featuring: Featuring Yuchi Chen (Taiwan), Maybelle Lek (Singapore), Alice Ma (Hong Kong), Tung-chun Hsu (Taiwan) & Mohd Nuriqram (Malaysia). Moderated by I-Fen Tung. Organiser: World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific.
Participation is free. Only registered participants will receive the link to the Zoom discussion.
About the Session
Dance is indeed a profound physical experience that cannot be fully captured through a screen. The International Young Choreographer Project (IYCP) being able to gather again is incredibly exciting. The opportunity for dancers to interact face-to-face, share ideas, and experience the atmosphere of the event is invaluable. The isolation and restrictions during the pandemic have made us cherish such opportunities even more. This gathering inspired countless new ideas and innovative dance works!
IYCP comes to its 25th year, it’s a remarkable milestone. Its longevity demonstrates its significant impact and solid presence in the dance world. Over 25 years, it has witnessed the growth of countless dancers and the evolution of dance, potentially driving many innovative choreographies and performances. Such an event not only provides a platform for young choreographers to showcase their talents but also fosters global dance community exchange and collaboration. Each era finds its inspirational dialogue through such activities, and for young choreographers, this experience undoubtedly lays a solid foundation for the future development of dance.
We invite five young choreographers from IYCP this year to share their insights and experiences firsthand. Perhaps, after nearly two months since July, there is a more profound and extended reflection on everything that has occurred.
About the International Young Choreographer Project
Since 1999, Asian Young Choreographer Project (named as International Young Choreographer Project/IYCP after 2009) has attracted more than 60 young choreographers from around the world. More than 300 dancers have been gathered in Taiwan, and around 70 dances have been created. Originally based in Taipei, for the better development of modern dance in southern Taiwan, the project has moved to Kaohsiung since 2005.
Established by Man-Fei Lo and later managed by Ra-Jung Liang, IYCP is currently led by Yunyu Wang and Su-Ling Chou, with the support from private as well as government organizations such as National Culture and Arts Foundation, Chin-Lin Foundation for Arts and Culture, Bureau of Cultural Affairs of Kaohsiung City Government, Tsoying Senior High School, and Tso’s Dance Association.
This year, five choreographers from Australia (WDA Asia Pacific), Malaysia (WDA Asia Pacific), Hong Kong (WDA Asia Pacific), Singapore (WDA Asia Pacific) and Bangladesh (WDA Asia Pacific), and three from Taiwan were selected. Tso’s Dance Association will continue to promote IYCP in bringing the dance in Taiwan to the international stage.
About the Panel
Moderator
I-Fen Tung (Networks Co-Chair of Creation and Presentation, WDAAP)
Tung I-Fen is a choreographer, performer, educator and curator. Tung works in various contexts, including dance, theater, film, contemporary music and technical art, among others, while laying her artistic practices in the agency and intersections of humanity, society and nature.
Tung has been an artist-in-residence at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, Colorado College and George Washington University in the USA. From 2020, Tung started to curate the program and host several projects such as Dance Park platform for freelance dancers, Unboxing: Live Art Arena for freelance artists, performing art program for Nuit Blanche. Since 2006, her works have been presented in London and Paris, as well as in Spain, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India. Tung also participated in several interdisciplinary productions, such as Dear John which won the performing award of 12th Taishin Arts Award. She is currently a full-time lecturer at the University of Taipei.
Speakers
YuChi Chen
Yuchi Chen, born in Changhua City, Studied at National Taipei University of the Arts. He is currently a freelance artist. From 2019 to 2024, he was performing with MIR dance company under direction of Giuseppe Spota in Gelsenkirchen Theater in Germany, He has worked with choreographers such as Marcos Morau, Felix Landerer, Anat Oz and Fernando Melo and many others. His choreographic work, “The Piece on your Seat,” was selected for the dance film screening at the 2022 SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Festival. *photo credit: 瑪加多里歐斯·伊莎貝爾 Machado Rios Isabel
Maybelle Lek
Maybelle Lek (b. 1996) is a Singaporean dance artist based in Spain, specializing in performance, choreography, and education. After earning her Master’s Degree from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (UK), Maybelle performed with T.H.E. Second Company and Nagi Contemporary Dance Corps, where she has made significant influences in the Singapore dance scene. Maybelle’s work embraces the transformative power of imagination, creative risk-taking, and the continuous exploration of physical and emotional modalities. Her choreographic practice is dedicated to crafting inclusive, safe spaces that encourage both personal and collective expression. Recognizing dance as a profound medium for connection, empowerment, and transformation, Maybelle’s works—such as [02:10], Still/Moving, and When Five Encounter — have graced stages across the UK, Europe, and Asia. Her choreography is celebrated for its accessibility and emotional depth, resonating with diverse audiences. Her latest work, The Slowness of Being, was featured at the 2024 International Youth Choreographer’s Project in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. www.maybellelek.org
Alice Ma
Graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors) degree, majoring in Contemporary Dance and Choreography. Actively performs on stage and explores various mediums to showcase dance, collaborating with artists from different disciplines as well as art institutions and groups. Her recent works include City Contemporary Dance Company’s “I Don’t Mean It” (2021), Hong Kong Arts Festival’s “Ding Ding Ding Ding” (2021), and E-Side Dance Company’s “Leg” (2023).
Ma has received the “Tom Brown Emerging Choreographer” at the Hong Kong Dance Awards in 2020. She was also honored with the “The Award for Young Artist” by the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards the following year. Additionally, she has been nominated twice for the “Outstanding Choreography” award at the Hong Kong Dance Awards, for “Over-master” (2020) and “Night Run” (2023).
She has frequently participated in the “Hong Kong Jockey Club Contemporary Dance Platform” of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, with two of her works, “Wu” (2018) and “Over-master” (2019), “Wu” was presented at the Seoul New Dance for Asia International Dance Festival in Korea and received a 5-star review at the Edinburgh International Festival 2023. “Over-master” was invited to perform in Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Macau. She is also a part-time instructor at the City Contemporary Dance Company’s Dance Centre and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She founded AMPM Movement Theatre in 2023. www.alice-ma.com
Tung-chun Hsu
Tung-chun Hsu, a Kaohsiung native, is currently studying for a master’s degree in the Department of Dance at Taipei National University of the Arts. He majors in Cross-Disciplinary Corporeal Theories and Practice. He is a choreographer, dancer, and dance critic. He started professional dance training in high school, focusing on contemporary dance and exploring the interplay of text, body, and practice beyond traditional constraints.
Mohd Nuriqram
Mohd Nuriqram is a graduate with a Bachelor degree in Dance from the ASWARA. He majored in choreography (2020). He has represented Malaysia under the Faculty of Dance at the ASEAN-CHINA Joint Cultural Performance held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and at Dance Festivals in Indonesia. He has created several choreographic works showcased in Gelombang Baru, Dancebox, Short and Sweet, Dancing Alone, Kontra, and Dancing Duo. He was awarded the Best Newcomer Award at the Short+Sweet Festival 2018 for his piece entitled “BODOH (Stupid)”. He has won various solo talent competitions, including 1st place in MSU Got Talent, 2nd place in All Talent Kuala Lumpur, and 4th place in Artistreet Dance.
Asia-Pacific Dance Dialogues explore current issues and viewpoints in dance around the region and the world, with invited dancers, choreographers, scholars and other dance practitioners. This monthly online series is hosted by World Dance Alliance chapters from the Asia-Pacific region, and reflects on topics in education and training, research and documentation, creation and presentation, and support and development.
Join us with your questions, share your unique perspectives, and strengthen your professional networks, as together we gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for dance in our world.
In 2024, these sessions are free and open to all; registration is required.
WDA Asia Pacific members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the organisation on Sunday 1 September at 1pm, either via Zoom or in person at the Bencoolen Hotel, 30 Bencoolen Rd, Singapore.
The meeting will provide reports from the Executive Board and chapter heads (as per those published in the latest edition of Asia Pacific Channels), and there will be an election for a new Executive Board. Voting for these positions will be by the current Executive Board, Chapter Heads, Regional VPs and Network Chairs, all of whom will represent the broader WDAAP membership. If you are a WDA member and intend being present at the AGM via Zoom, please register here and a link will be sent to you, along with the Agenda.
Cover image, and above: Team Projonmo from Bangladesh performing ‘Fireflies’, choreographed by Md Hanif, at Chayanaut Cultural Center in Dhaka. Photo: Yeamin Muzumde
Back issues of Channels can be downloaded from here. The archive of Channels dating back to 1996 is available from the Ausdance website.
Dance as practise is offered in degree or diploma courses in some undergraduate and graduate institutions in South Asian countries. In comparison, Dance Studies is not a commonly offered subject at all. Today three young faculty from different institutions in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India discuss the scope, possibilities and challenges the subject faces as funds for arts education lessen all over the world, while the interest to continue dance education beyond practice increases within the performing arts ecology in South Asia.
The session is moderated by Urmimala Sarkar Munsi and promises to present a frank discussion between the three young people who navigate the terrain as faculty/ practitioners/ researchers of performing arts.
Participation is free. Only registered participants will receive the link to the Zoom discussion.
Moderator: Prof. Urmimala Sarkar Munsi Facilitated by: Bilqis Hijjas. Organiser: World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific.
Date: Thursday 27 June Time: 12:00 IST Find your time zone here Platform: Zoom Length of session: 90 minutes max
About the Speakers
Chamanee Darshika is a theatre practitioner, critic, and academic working at the intersections of Acting and Performance Studies. In 2023, she completed her postgraduate studies at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU (India). She is currently reading for her MPhil degree on “Gendering Nurti and Sinhala Nationalism: The Emergence of Female Actors in the Early Modern Sinhala Theatre” at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts (Sri Lanka). She has also followed Kandyan dance, one of the local dance practices. She is a permanent faculty member in the Faculty of Dance and Drama at UVPA, and teaches Acting and Performance Studies-related courses. She is also a visiting lecturer at the Uva Wellassa University (Sri Lanka) and was a temporary assistant lecturer at the University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka) in Drama and Theatre.
In her practice-based research, Chamanee explores the ways in which the actor’s body can be unlearned, and ways to reconnect with Indigenous practices and rituals in South Asian Cultures. Her research examines the relationship between personal and historical power relations to contextualize the historical construction of the gendered body and its performative elements. She was the curator of Movement Rhizome Atelier, and one of the panelists at the International Conference on Dance Studies, at the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka).
Zuairiyah Mouli has been pursuing dance for the last 18 years. In 2019, as an ICCR Scholar, she has completed her Masters in Performing Arts (Bharatnatyam) with Distinction from Bangalore University and completed her Diploma with Distinction from West Bengal Dance Group Federation’s Diploma, winning the gold medal. She has performed at prestigious dance venues in India, Bangladesh, Russia, France, USA and has been bestowed with Girnar Ratna and NatyaKalamani titles in 2019 from India. Her choreographed short productions “Endless Journey” and “Ardhanarishwara” were selected for the World Dance Alliance Global Summit 2017 and 2019. She has had the privilege to work in productions under internationally acclaimed choreographers Akram Khan (UK), Donald Byrd (USA), Kathleen Weitz (USA), and Urmimala Sarker (India). Currently, she is working as an Assistant Director (Program Production, Dance) at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. She has also worked as a part time lecturer in the Department of Dance, University of Dhaka and Tagore University of Creative Arts.
Currently an Assistant Professor of Performance at the Department of Arts, Media and Performance, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi-NCR, Amritha Shruthi is a trained dancer-performer closely mentored by dancer Geeta Chandran, and is an empanelled ICCR solo artist and a graded artist by the Doordarshan. Amritha submitted her PhD thesis at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU, wherein she maps the historical effectiveness of performance festivals in India – with specific reference to dance in an attempt to locate alternate approaches to analyse dance history and performance-making. Amritha has extensively worked in K-12 schools across India as an Art Integrated Learning consultant, and closely trains teachers to develop new methodologies to teach and engage with art and concepts in the classroom.
Moderator
Urmimala Sarkar Munsi is the current President of World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific. She is a Professor and Dean of at the School of Arts and Aesthetics in Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. She is a social anthropologist / performance studies scholar and a trained dancer- choreographer, with research in socio-political assertions of identity through cultural practices.
Asia-Pacific Dance Dialogues explore current issues and viewpoints in dance around the region and the world, with invited dancers, choreographers, scholars and other dance practitioners. This monthly online series is hosted by World Dance Alliance chapters from the Asia-Pacific region, and reflects on topics in education and training, research and documentation, creation and presentation, and support and development.
Join us with your questions, share your unique perspectives, and strengthen your professional networks, as together we gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for dance in our world.
In 2024, these sessions are free and open to all; registration is required.
Journal of Emerging Dance Scholarship (JEDS) calls for submissions for its 11th edition, inviting original scholarly articles and reviews that critically engage with the theme: Complexities and Challenges in Dance/Dance Studies.
The journal offers a supportive forum for emerging scholars engaged in research and practice of dance. All submissions are double-blind peer reviewed. Authors must be pursuing a graduate degree such as M.A., M.F.A., Ph.D., equivalent, or be within five years of having graduated (the degree does not need to be in dance, but the article must be focused on dance).
Submission deadline: 30 June 2024 Projected publication date: 15 Dec 2025
